Rich Media, Poor Democracy: Communication Politics in Dubious Times

Rating:
Summary: Corporate Capitalism, Mass Media, and Democracy
Review: This may be the most important book of the year for anyone concerned with the real world of democracy as we enter 2000. In a detailed, substantive but highly-readable study, McChesney explores how corporate control of the mass media shapes and constrains news and culture, sharply limits real freedom of the press, and hence undermines popular self-government. McChesney shows how growing corporate media concentration threatens the open system of communication and culture that is vital to democracy or rule by the majority. I know of no other book that cuts through the neo-liberal, market-idolatry of our time. Yet the author provides hope: imaginative, yet concrete ways in which citizens might contest the power of the corporate media and reclaim the best of our democratic heritage. A superb book, highly recommended.